Latest news with #GreeneCountyOfficeofEmergencyManagement
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Governor Kehoe requests federal disaster declaration in response to severe storms, tornadoes, flooding
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Yesterday, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe requested that President Donald Trump approve a major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance in 26 Missouri counties after severe storms, tornadoes and flooding caused widespread destruction across the state from March 30 to April 8. Six deaths were confirmed due to severe storms during the period. Greene County Office of Emergency Management seeking volunteers for storm recovery efforts 'While Missourians and faith-based and volunteer organizations have been supporting their neighbors and local and state government are working hard at recovery, the cost of these efforts — often because of repeated damage in the same counties — is beyond the capacity of local communities and the state to bear in full,' Governor Kehoe said in a news release. Eighteen of the 26 counties included in this request were also included in a federal disaster request made by Governor Kehoe on April 2. Based on the documented damage, Governor Kehoe is requesting FEMA Individual Assistance for the following 20 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cooper, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Vernon, Washington and Wayne. The news release says Individual Assistance would allow eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses. Based on the documented damage and emergency response costs, Governor Kehoe is also requesting FEMA Public Assistance for the following 25 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cooper, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, Maries, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Texas, Vernon, Wayne, and Webster. If approved, Public Assistance would allow local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement of damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. The release says there's more than an estimated $25.5 million in emergency response costs and damage to public infrastructure. For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, please visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Arkansas Neighborhood Hit by a Tornado for the 2nd Time in a Year: ‘This Is Not Good'
Multiple homes in Arkansas that were hit by a tornado during the St. Patrick's Day weekend outbreak were already hit by a separate tornado nearly a year earlier. The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed an EF-2 tornado 'with 125 mph winds' ripped through Paragould over the weekend, according to the Greene County Office of Emergency Management. Coincidentally, the Paragould tornado reportedly hit an area that was impacted by a different tornado 10 months prior. An EF-1 twister plowed through the area of Sandwedge Drive on Memorial Day weekend, according to The New York Post and Fox Weather. Related: Orlando TV Anchors Rush to Seek Shelter Live on Air as Tornado Hits News Station: 'Under Your Desks!' The Drope family's home sustained significant damage in the March 2025 twister after being impacted by the storm that hit their neighborhood in May 2024. "There's a silence that happens before a strong storm hits you. And I said, 'Oh no, this is not good,' ' Misty Drope told Good Morning America on Monday, March 17. Luckily for the Dropes, they managed to survive the second twister after sheltering in a spot that saw much less damage than the rest of the home. 'It literally looks like God just had his hand right there over us, because that's the only part that has the roof left,' Keely Drope told GMA. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. CBS affiliate WREG-TV reported that more than 160 homes were significantly damaged by the Paragould twister on Friday. No one died as a result of the incident, and Mayor Josh Agee said only three or four people sustained minor injuries. "Luckily, we had property damage only," Agee stated on Saturday, March 16. 'The Good Lord was watching over the City of Paragould last night." Nearly 90 tornadoes touched down across the Midwest and Southeast between Friday and Sunday, according to FOX Weather. More than 40 people have died from the storms, NBC News and ABC News reported. Three deaths were reported in Arkansas as well as two in North Carolina, three in Alabama, four in Oklahoma, four in Texas, six in Mississippi, eight in Kansas and 12 in Missouri. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Experts advise planning ahead for severe weather season
GREENE COUNTY, Mo. — It is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Missouri and local officials are saying now is the time to prepare for the severe weather season ahead. The Greene County Office of Emergency Management says it's a good idea to have a plan in place before severe weather hits. 'Prepare on the blue sky days for when the gray sky days occur. Because if it's a gray sky day and you haven't planned, it's too late,' said Darren White, Deputy Director with Greene County Office of Emergency Management. 'You're not going to have a plan in place to do what you need to do to keep yourself safe.' Preparing looks different for different kinds of severe weather. Thunderstorms like what is forecasted for Tuesday present a risk for lightning strikes. White says the best way to protect yourself in a thunderstorm is to stay inside as much as possible. If large amounts of rain lead to flooding in the area, White says the phrase 'turn around don't drown' can be lifesaving. He says you should never drive through flood waters and risk your car being swept away. For tornadoes, White says it's a good idea to have a 'go bag' packed with essentials like food, plastic water bottles, chargers for your phone and daily medications. You should also identify where to shelter, like in a basement, at a local storm shelter or an interior wall in your home. During a tornado warning, the Greene County OEM will turn on the outdoor tornado sirens. These sirens are designed to warn people outside to get inside and take shelter. 'Now, if you're at home or work and you cannot hear the sirens inside,' White said. 'We recommend you have a weather radio, your favorite app, whatever you whatever you prefer to keep you aware of what's happening.' As part of weather preparedness week, there will be a statewide tornado drill Wednesday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m. Greene County is participating in this drill in place of the regularly scheduled test on the second Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. White says they do not test the sirens if conditions are poor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
